Welcome

Welcome. 

Welcome to my "Indyref" world. Read a wee bit and see if the stuff in my head and life has some connection to your stuff.

First things first, a confession. 

I decided to vote Yes before I’d really worked out why. It was a reactive thing from the heart, but not a nationalist thing!!!, and that’s what I’ve been trying to rationalise these last few months, the screamy worry, bolded and underlined concern that I'm an abhorrent "nat". 

So, somewhat like an alcoholic introducing myself at the top table, I offer anyone bothered to read this far that "my name is Stevie Anderson and I’m voting Yes", but the bit I need to work out is why I am voting Yes. I need to sort out whether I've let myself be seduced into becoming a nationalist, sodden in myths of shortbread, tartan and Braveheart type cries for “freedom!!”?

As an excuse for this exercise in navel gazing I can initially say that with alarming frequency I find myself in almost every Indyref conversation saying “I’m not a nationalist” like it’s a sin I haven’t committed. I think I know what that’s about for me, as a socialist I’ve always seen nationalism as a natural anathema so my gut instinct to vote Yes has me conflicted with that part of me that “will never vote for the SNP”. 

This blog is my attempt at working out my position on my identity, my politics and my actions as a middle aged white man - one wife, 3 weans, 2 dogs and a hoos in Clydebank – and whether any of this makes sense in my own head and life, never mind the lives of any poor soul who might read these self indulgent whitterings.

Buckle up, this may be rough, unpleasant and sometimes worrying,

Stevie